About three-quarters (76 percent) of school psychologists in New York say their students experience greater anxiety over state tests than for local assessments, according to a new research report issued jointly today by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) and the New York Association of School Psychologists (NYASP).

Nearly four in 10 school board members (38 percent) would consider asking voters to exceed their property tax cap in 2016 if their districts' cap were essentially zero percent, according to a poll by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA).

Such a move would require 60 percent voter approval.

"With no growth allowed in their tax levies, we expect more school boards to attempt a tax cap override in order to meet their rising expenses," said Timothy G. Kremer, NYSSBA's executive director. "We'll know more in 2016 when school boards begin the budgeting process in earnest and share various budgeting scenarios with their communities."

New York’s major statewide education organizations issued a report today outlining the need for a $2.2 billion state aide increase for 2016-17, along with broader action help to schools prepare the next generation of students for success.

In a school finance report released today, the Educational Conference Board (ECB) also called on the state to address the strong possibility that schools could face a punishing zero percent limit on local tax increases next year due to the way the state tax cap is constructed.

The recommended $2.2 billion state aid increase includes $1.7 billion to continue current school services plus $500 million in targeted funding to fund critical school improvement initiatives such as expanding prekindergarten access, providing sufficient support for struggling schools and English language learners, training teachers, and opening new pathways to graduation.

“Public schools are eager to rise to the challenge of a changing world and increased standards, but they need a responsive and reliable state partner to help,” said ECB Chair John Yagielski.

ECB’s projection for the state aid increase that is needed to continue current school services is based on outside estimates for costs such as salaries, health insurance, and pension contributions.

The estimate also reflects state Division of Budget figures, as well as a lower rate next year for employer pension contributions to the Teachers Retirement System. All in all, the ECB estimates that continuing current services in school districts would result in a modest increase in total school spending of 2.7 percent statewide in 2016-17.

"Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch deserves praise for her nearly two decades of service to public education in New York State. During her tenure as Chancellor, she sought to improve lower performing schools, close the achievement gap, and improve accountability. Through it all, she demonstrated a resiliency and unyielding belief in high standards for all of our students. Like that of a school board president, her job as chancellor of the state board of education is very difficult. NYSSBA thanks her for her years of service in this challenging position."

Joan Reeves, a member of the Baldwinsville Board of Education and the Onondaga Cortland Madison (OCM) BOCES Board, received the Everett R. Dyer Award for Distinguished School Board Service at NYSSBA’s 96th Annual Convention and Education Expo in New York City.

Reeves has served on the Baldwinsville board for more than three decades and on the OCM BOCES board since 2007. Since joining the Baldwinsville board in 1981, she has served as vice president for 13 years and as president for 6 years. She has been a member of 14 board committees in Baldwinsville, including ones focused on long range planning, facilities, policy, insurance, transportation, audit, sustainability, legislation and negotiations. Reeves also serves on the boards of directors of the Central New York School Boards Association and the Onondaga Madison School Boards Association.

Top state education leaders will discuss how controversial topics such as student testing, “opting out” and the Common Core Learning Standards are affecting schools during next week’s New York State School Boards Association’s Annual Convention.

The convention runs from Sunday, October 18 to Tuesday, October 20 at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel in Manhattan.

Highlighting the event, State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia, Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch, state teachers’ union president Karen Magee, and New York City Deputy Education Chancellor Phil Weinberg will join other educators to debate standardized testing in schools. The panel will be moderated by Timothy G. Kremer, executive director of the state school boards association, on Monday, Oct. 19 at 1:00 p.m.

Albany, NY – Advancing Governor Andrew Cuomo's innovation-based educational blueprint for preparing students for high-tech job opportunities across New York State, three school districts have been singled out to receive "Be the Change for Kids" Innovation Awards as a result of their exciting approaches to science, technology, engineering, and math-related (STEM) programs. Currently marking its fourth consecutive year, the pioneering educational initiative is presented by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) and SUNY Polytechnic Institute's Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (SUNY Poly CNSE).

"Governor Andrew Cuomo's leadership continues to spur New York State's schools to become hands-on, high-tech centers for students to gain unmatched skills and experience, and the 'Be the Change for Kids' Innovation Awards are a powerful way to encourage student interest in subjects such as nanotechnology which are driving New York's economy," said Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, President and CEO of SUNY Poly. "We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with the New York State School Boards Association as we honor this year's award winners for the success of their STEM-based programs that are empowering students and enabling access to New York State's innovation-based opportunities."

“I am honored to bring the voice of school board members throughout the state to Governor Cuomo’s Task Force on the Common Core Learning Standards. Our students need high educational standards, but the roll out of the Common Core in New York State has been plagued by too rapid an implementation and an overreliance on testing. By bringing all of the stakeholders and decision makers together, the governor’s task force has the potential to be a game-changer in the now five-year debate over the Common Core. I intend to work closely with the governor and task force members to put more decision-making back into the hands of local officials and restore faith in our system of public education.”

The New York State School Boards Association today urged parents, teachers, administrators and state education policymakers to put aside differences over opt outs, testing, Common Core and teacher evaluations.

"The beginning of the school year should be a time of excitement and promise, as students begin to learn new subject matter, meet their new teachers, and get acquainted with their classmates," said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer.

Barbara Mauro of Niskayuna has been elected to a two-year term as Area 7 Director of the New York State School Boards Association. In addition to her two-year term, which starts January 1, Mauro also will serve the final five months of Matt Wade's term. Wade resigned from his position on July 31.